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The application from YHA for a hostel in the Women’s Division has come back to Council with little or no change. It is on the Planning Services Agenda this Wednesday (20 July). The Society made a comprehensive submission in January, which we sent to all stakeholders, Fremantle Prison’s Bevan Beaver contacted me and said it reflected their views on the application. When the application was withdrawn we felt confident a new submission would address our fears. Unfortunately this is not the case, but took some comfort in the Officer’s recommendation for refusal. Alas Cr Fittock has sent out an alternative motion recommending approval. The Society believes holiday accommodation is an appropriate adaptive reuse for the Women’s Division, however Fremantle Prison is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and needs a high quality adaption to ensure we make the best of out heritage asset and tourist trade. I do hope the Planning Services Committee decide to endorse the Officer’s Report and demand a better development for our Prison.

Recent comments by Peter Nolin of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, effectively blaming Councillor John Dowson and other heritage advocates for the city’s retail woes are totally unwarranted, as Roel Loopers clearly shows.

The Chamber is currently advocating a high-rise bonanza for the East End of the CBD, a matter that will soon be our for public comment via a Town Planning scheme amendment.

These proposals emanste from the City Centre Strategic Sites working Group (CCSSWG) Along with Don Whittington and John Dowson, I am a member of this group. But so is the Chamber and many architects, all of whom support the high-rise concept. We have argued against the proposals and for a more modest scheme that would allow six storey development on a few sites near the Railway Station, but elsewhere encourage redevelopment at three to five stories. Such a scale would respect the historic character of the city and the ambience the Soicety and community have fought so hard to protect.

Samson House Tour & Snip.

The National Trust invites you to an exclusive tour and garded experience at Samson House on Sunday 17th July. Bring your gloves & secateurs so you can practice the art of rose pruning following a demonstration by the Rose Society.

Heritage in Western Australia is underpinned by the State Heritage Act 1990, which is currently being reviewed. The Act mandates the Heritage Council of WA giving it powers to operate, and gives statutory power to the State Heritage and Local Government lists.

If you have any interest in Western Australian Heritage this Act is important to you.